British No 1 Heather Watson diagnosed with glandular fever following concerns over burnout

The sense of “burnout” that Heather Watson talked about in Miami a fortnight
ago has come into clearer focus after Watson was diagnosed with glandular
fever. As far as the doctors can tell, the illness has been affecting her
for the last couple of months.

Out of action: Heather Watson has been diagnosed with glandular feverPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

After losing her first-round match at the Sony Open, Watson spoke of her exhaustion and her desire to take some time off with her family in Guernsey. She then went for medical tests in Miami, before using a minor leg injury as an excuse for pulling out of the doubles tournament and heading home. The results of those tests were revealed on Wednesday.

"I had to do some blood tests after Miami and the results have shown that I have traces of glandular fever in my system,” said Watson in a statement. “There is no prescription for this other than complete rest but the good news is that the doctors have told me I am at the tail end of the fever. This means I have been trying to compete through the symptoms for some time.”

Glandular fever is becoming more rife on the tennis circuit as the ever-increasing burden of travel and training takes its toll. As Andy Murray told Telegraph Sport last week, “You have to be so careful [because] your immune system get run down … Glandular fever is something everyone has to look into.”

The illness varies hugely in its effects. Roger Federer managed to play through it during the early part of 2008, whereas the former world No. 4 Robin Soderling contracted it in 2011, just before his 27th birthday, and has not been seen on the tour since. Other sufferers include Justine Henin, John Isner, Andy Roddick and Mario Ancic.

Watson, like Federer, seems to have a manageable level of the condition. Indeed, she was probably suffering from it during January’s Australian Open, when she played indifferent tennis but fell back on her combative instincts to fight through to the third round in any case.

"I have been struggling with both training and playing matches and felt so tired and exhausted for months,” said Watson, “but now that the doctors have found the cause of this, it explains everything that has been happening to me physically and mentally. I am actually relieved to know what is wrong so that I can get myself on the mend.

"I hope to recover as soon as possible by resting my body and getting lots of sleep. I already feel better from being at home for a week, and am looking forward to getting back on tour soon."

What is not yet clear is when Watson will be able to return to competitive tennis. She will undergo ongoing observation by the doctors, but there is a pressing deadline. Next Wednesday, Judy Murray must name her Fed Cup team for next month’s World Group play-off against Argentina, which is to be played in three weeks’ time.

There is a strong chance that Murray will have to do without Watson – who is ranked 40 in the world but will be overtaken as British No. 1 in the next set of rankings. Laura Robson made sure of that on Wednesday when she scored a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win in her opening match against Estrella Cabeza Candela, the world No 08, at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

From Murray’s perspective, it is fortuitous that Elena Baltacha, whose 42 Fed Cup ties make her the most experienced British player of the moment, is finally match-ready after a nine-month lay-off since last year’s Olympics.

Baltacha, 29, had serious foot surgery in the autumn, but used her Twitter page to post photographs of herself at the airport as she headed out her first tournament of the year.